Hartlepool hospice chiefs are backing calls for funding reform saying the current system nationwide is “unsustainable”.

The CEO’s of Alice House Hospice, Sandra Britten and Nicky Haggan, say funding challenges they face are “ongoing and significant”.

It costs £3.7m to fund the hospice’s services each year, yet it receives just 34% of this in government funding, meaning it has to raise over £6,500 every single day from supporters.

Ms Britten and Ms Haggan spoke about the pressures the hospice faces as two major parliamentary reports warned the way hospice and palliative care is funded is failing to meet the rising demand.

Alice House Hospice CEOs Sandra Britten (left) and Nicky Haggan outside the hospice in Hartlepool.

placeholder image — Alice House Hospice CEOs Sandra Britten (left) and Nicky Haggan outside the hospice in Hartlepool.

They say the Government has been “more progressive in recent years” in their response, but more action is needed.

Ms Britten and Ms Haggan said: “The current model is unsustainable on a long-term basis and the severity of the challenges faced vary from Hospice to Hospice, depending on such factors as local economy and historic funding systems.

“Ideally, we would like to see funding reforms and continued open discussion to identify a solution that ensures equitable and sustainable funding for all Hospices, whilst retaining the same level of autonomy.”

They said they are consistently at capacity due to the level of demand for its services, but cannot expand their provisions.

Their staffing structure is also “as lean possible”.

Last year, Alice House which provides care and support services across Hartlepool, the Tees Valley and East Durham, made the difficult decision to downscale its bereavement services, but no further changes are planned.

The CEOs added: “Funding challenges are ongoing and significant, we bridge the gaps with responsible financial management and proactive fundraising, which thankfully is well supported by the people and businesses in our catchment.

“Without this support, our work would not be possible.”

They thanked their supporters, including national body Hospice UK which lobbies for fairer funding.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This Government has made the biggest investment in hospices in a generation, £125 million, to improve hospice facilities, freeing other funding for patient care, and has also committed £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over three years.”

Plans to modernise and improve palliative and end-of-life care are due to be set out soon as the focus shifts to more community-based care rather than in hospitals.